Key working class fighters rally to TUSC

Surrey TUSC

Local members of transport union RMT have voted unanimously to endorse their local TUSC candidate, Paul Couchman, in the general election.

On 16 April, RMT Feltham No 1 branch's well-attended meeting also voted to fund the election campaign to the tune of £200.

There were railway workers at the meeting from the local Spelthorne station, and a number were Spelthorne residents. One came into the meeting clutching a TUSC flyer, saying "I got this through the letterbox this morning and thought - that's Paul, he's coming tonight!"

Another local worker said to Paul: "You have my complete support. I will be voting for you and for the TUSC council candidates. And you might be surprised at the amount of support you will get."

Tenant campaign leaders - Hackney

The leaders of the New Era housing campaign have decided to give their backing to TUSC. Lindsey Garrett and Danielle Molinari led the successful tenants' campaign against tripling rent last year. Their struggle gained prominence after celebrity support from comedian and activist Russell Brand. The Socialist Party backed the campaign from the very beginning. Lindsey and Danielle are now supporting Socialist party member and TUSC candidate Brian Debus, who was fully involved in their campaign.

At the time of the New Era victory, Brian said to tenants: "You have evicted Britain's richest Tory MP, and private-property speculating profiteers Westbrook. This goes to prove we are many and they are few. Your victory will be an inspiration to millions of others fighting the rapacious profit system the government is only too happy to promote."

Lindsey and Danielle have concluded that they need a political voice - and that none of the establishment parties are it.

Politicians expressed 'concern' at the plight of New Era tenants. But when trade union Unite tried to raise an emergency motion at London Labour Party conference, it was ruled out of order.

Labour only proposes limits on how quickly landlords can hike rent. It backs 'build to rent' schemes that support private landlords - which include many Labour councillors and MPs.

Brian stands for a mass council-house building programme - and controls on the level of rent we actually pay. TUSC also calls for public ownership of the banks and major construction companies.

The fighting spirit shown by New Era tenants and a growing number of other housing campaigns in London shows the potential for a party of working class fighters.

Justice campaigners in Surrey

Last year, seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola was killed as a result of flooding in Surrey. His father Kye was paralysed from the waist down. Campaigners believe their cardiac arrests were caused by cyanide gas released from landfills by the flood.

For 14 long months, their family has been trying to get answers from the Tory council - which refuses to investigate. TUSC fully backs the Truth About Zane campaign. Parliamentary candidate Paul Couchman and local council candidates have attended many of the campaign's protests, and have been very vocal in local trade unions in support.

TUSC has organised a protest against Tory Spelthorne council which Kye will be speaking at. The Conservatives have declined to investigate the River Ash flood. They also made the appalling decision to build an incinerator in Shepperton. And they have made reckless cuts to public services such as closing fire stations.

Only TUSC stands for a full investigation into the death and the flooding, and fighting all cuts to vital services.